Better known for its beaches, the unique attractions of the island of Sri Lanka in the Indian Ocean just 27kms off the South Coast of India, however, are located in the interior. Within the Cultural Triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka are the 2000 year old historic ancient cities of Anuradhapura, the famous Sigiriya rock fortress with the rock frescos, the rock temple caves at Dambulla, the ancient capital of  Polonnaruwa, the ancient monastry at Ritigale, the birthplace of Buddhism in Sri Lanka at Mihintale and other world heritage listed archaeological sites. The cultural capital of Sri Lanka in Kandy, which was the last Royal Kingdom to resist the British, is also the location of the world famous Temple of the Tooth Relic as well as less well know but equally fascinating temples, covered in our section on "Undiscovered Lanka".

The ancient wonders of the cultural triangle in the interior of Sri Lanka lie only 179 Kms and a mere 4 hours drive from the west coast and Colombo International Airport. The triangle is bounded to the North by Anuradhapura and Mihintale and to the South East by Polonnaruwa with Sigiriya and Dambulla in the middle of the triangle. Kandy and Matale Vihara are to the South. See MAP

Within the small area of the Cultural Triangle are no fewer than seven UNESCO declared world heritage sites. These marvels span some 2500 years of history from the sacred city of Anuradhapura, the rock fortress of Sigiriya to the rock cave temples of Dambulla and the magnificent temples and palaces of the royal city of Kandy. Some of the less well known but equally fascinating sites, devoid of the crowds, are shown in the “Undiscovered Lanka” section.

What is fascinating is that these 2000 year old temples are still places of devout religious worship and not just monuments. Sri Lanka is an intensely devote Buddhist country where you can discover a living ancient Buddhist culture in the Cultural Triangle

Sri Lanka became popular as a cheap long haul tropical beach destination. Recently, Sri Lanka has moved up-market with a new generation of lap of luxury suite boutique hotels of character, some with private plunge pools, which are now found in the cultural triangle interior of the island as well as the beaches.  In this website, we have both visited and stayed overnight in Sigiriya The Elephant Corridor, Hotel Sigiriya, Sigiriya Village, Vil Uyana, in Dambulla Amaya Lake and Kandalama Hotel, in Polonnaruwa the Polonaruwa Rest House where The Queen stayed in 1954, the Deer Park and in Kandy Amaya Hills, Citadel, and Mahaweli Reach Hotels.

For a decade Sri Lanka has been a second home to our British directors, who escape the cold dreary British winter for 4 months of the year to this sun drenched paradise tropical island. Our recommendations are based on personal experience. In this site, you will find only destinations and hotels which have been personally visited and recommended by our London resident directors. Except for aerial photos, all the images used on the site have, without a single exception, been taken during these travels and are as another tourist would have taken them. We give you the Cultural Triangle and Sri Lanka as we see it.